MK by Michael Kornick

MK makes it into my top 3 restaurants in Chicago of ALL time. Reviewed by Food and Wine, Esquire, and USA Today, critics have commended MK for its “playful and confident New American cooking” that “blow away” Windy city diners. I would have to agree, even though I was disappointed by the bread basket (a “MUST get it right” for all fancy restaurants, in my opinion).

MK was my first restaurant meal back in Chicago after a month-long vacation…it did a great job of reminding how much I love American cuisine! Especially when you get 4 different complimentary dishes!

Tastiness: I wanted to love the bread because it was multi-grainy and speckled with all shades of brown, but not only was it served cold, the bread was dry and had almost a stale texture. Maybe that’s what MK intended, who knows.

Beet salad Bite (Complimentary)

Tastiness: Fresh beets dressed simply in a light vinaigrette dressing can’t go wrong. They were flavorful enough as a topping on the bread. No complaints here, especially when it’s complimentary.

Tastiness: This was my incredibly delicious appetizer! The octopus was huge (there were 3) and grilled to perfection so there was a char on the outside but still soft and chewy on the inside. The highlight was definitely the flavorful bed of sautéed leeks and bell peppers, which had a slightly tart and yet rich marmalade-like touch to it. AWESOME.

Lobster and Butternut Squash Soup (Special) 13

Tastiness: This was Nick’s soup, and though delicious, not as yummy as the octopus appetizer (in my opinion). The dish had tiny bits of fresh lobster on the bottom, but also in tiny amounts. The soup was more like a lobster bisque, but not as rich with the addition of the squash. Both elements were present, but I thought dipping bread into the soup enhanced it further.

Tastiness: An entire half of lobster cooked to perfection and the incredibly flavorful (and non-cilantro tasting) broth was the winner. The edamame and snow peas on the bottom soaked up all the fragrant broth and offered a great crunchy contrast to the proteins. The fish had an incredible crisp crusty layer of skin yet the flesh was soft and moist. I, however, enjoyed Nick’s tuna dish more.

Tastiness: Thought this was Nick’s main dish, I ended up eating half of it because it was absolutely incredible. I could have done with just the tuna, mushrooms and sauce. Perfectly seared tuna (though I wish there was some sort of crusting outside) plus a buttery mushroom slice and a dabble of tart and smoky red wine reduction sauce felt like heaven in EVERY. SINGLE. BITE.

Sides

Pommes frites, truffle cream 8

Only about 20 people have raved to me about MK’s pommes frites. Get this, EXTRA truffle cream is an option on the menu as a separate “dish”.

Tastiness: I can appreciate a good fry, but I’m by no means a French fry lover. These fries were done the way I like them – not sliced too thin, piping hot, crunchy on the outside, yet soft on the inside. The only complaint? A tad too salty for me. I actually enjoyed the fries more without the truffle cream. The cream was thick, tart (almost vinegar-tart) and…fine. Nick loved it more than I.

Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts (Complimentary)

Tastiness: YUM. I love my BS’s a little charred on the outside, but softer with a tiny bit of crunch on the inside. These were just it! The brown butter they were sautéed in made this veggies a little too indulgent for my taste (there was plenty of residual oil floating on the bottom of the dish), but necessary to lighten up the bitterness of the BS itself, which were more bitter than ones I have ever tasted before.

Dessert

Peanut Butter Fudge, Brownie, Brittle (complimentary)

Tastiness: Too full for dessert, our waiter brought our 3 bite complimentary “surprise” dessert when we paid the bill. No winners here. The brownie was a little too dry and bitter for my taste, though I love 70% dark chocolate. The fudge was decent, but a little dry. The brittle was flavorless…unless you count sugary sweet a “flavor”.

RATINGS

TASTE: 4.5/5 (The sauces and “sides” were the winners to every dish…it’s the details that count!)

PLATING: 4/5

ORIGINALITY: 4/5 (New American at its best. Or…one of the best!)

VALUE: 4/5 (The bill came out to be $100 without wine. Expensive, yes, but Not if you bear in mind that MK is known to be $$$$$, that we went home completely stuffed, and that there were SO many complimentary dishes!)

Welcome back Michelle!!!😀 Wow, that is one awesome meal, if you ask me! I’ve never heard of this place but wow, you described it beautifully. Kind of silly, but I think both the complimentary beets and brussel sprouts sound good! hehe Even better that they’re free!

Just caught up on your adventures these past few weeks. How fun! I’m glad to hear you’re back in Chicago, though — we definitely need to meet up soon! Life has been a bit nuts lately…but then again, when isn’t it?!

I definitely want to sign up for Chicago restaurant week! I’ll have to put that on my to-do list. Same goes for a visit to MK. Might have to reach into ye old pocketbook for a trip, but it seems well worth it! Maybe for Valentine’s Day?😉

UMM need to go here🙂 I told Jenn i’m coming to Chi-town to visit my cousin Feb 19-21, sooo we’ll have to get together!! Let me know when you’ll be in Boston in Feb, ha i hope it’s not that same weekend!!

PS i live in the North end, which is really close to downtown Boston, back bay, south end, etc.

I always feel as if all the complimentary little things make the meal, as the chefs understand how things “hang” together. One thing I do like to stretch my palate is menus pout together for me, so every taste compliments each other…I only go out to restaraunts when traveling usually. And that means that perhaps I miss out on good places around here in my hometown in Germany…

I agree that if the bread isn’t good it can throw off the whole meal! I guess that’s what happens when you become accustomed to making your own all of the time. I have always been intrigued to try octopus, but as far as I know, it’s not available near me haha.